Global & Local winds Flashcards
The movement of air caused by differences in air pressure is called
Wind
What causes differences in air pressure
Unequal heating of the earth
Air is warmer and less dense than surrounding air at the equator because the equator receives more
Solar energy
Because air at the polls is colder and denser than surrounding air it
Sinks
High pressure areas are created around the poles as cold air
Sinks
After high pressure areas are created around the poles, Cold polar air flows toward
The equator
Large circular patterns of air movement are called
Convection cells
Bands of high-pressure and low-pressure found every 30° of latitude are called
Pressure belts
When the paths of wind and ocean currents seem to curve because of the Earth’s rotation it’s called the
Coriolis effect
Wings that blow from 30° latitude in both hemispheres almost to the equator are
Trade winds
The area around the equator where tradewinds meet is called
Doldrums
When formed as cold sinking air moves from the poles to 60° north and 60° South latitude
Polar easterlies
Wind belts that extend between 30° and 60° latitude in both hemispheres is called
Westerlies
Area in which sinking air creates high pressure and weak winds at about 30° north and 30° South latitude
Horse latitudes
Narrow belts of high-speed winds in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere are called
Jet streams
